PERCEPTION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION AND SEXUAL RELATIONS OF MARRIED COUPLES IN ONDO STATE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still practiced and prevalent despite its effects in the Southern part of Nigeria. The study examined perception of FGM and sexual relations of couples in Ondo state of Southwestern Nigeria. The study was qualitative due to the culture of silence on sexual matters in Nigeria and guided by social construction theory. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 husbands and 12 wives who had experience FGM, while key informant Interviews were conducted with 2 gynecologists and physicians each. Data were transcribed and content analyzed. Most of the respondents (19 out of 22) were aged 30-49 years. Respondents had negative perceptions about FGM but considered it a cultural practice necessary to reduce promiscuity among women. The phenomenon was perceived to have contributed to difficult sexual arousal, low sexual urge and occasional pain for the wives, while some husband experienced pains and injuries in their penile shaft due to non-lubrication. However, some females claimed to have experienced orgasm once in a while and averred that their sexual response was low whenever they had concerns. Some husbands confirmed that sexual responses of their wives were really low, but got better with time and understanding of their bodies. The experience of orgasm was not clearly defined by respondents but was said to depend largely on the woman’s psyche, orientation, experiences and disposition towards sexual intercourse. It is recommended that couple’s counseling inclusive of sexual health should be incorporated into family medicine in order to improve couples’ sexual health.   Keywords: Female genital mutilation, married couples, perception, sexual relations